Study tracking and erosion properties of modified nitrile butadiene rubber with nanoparticles by inclined plane test

Abstract

Occurrence of tracking and erosion on surface of polymer insulator leads to breakdown of these materials and has negative impact on their quality. Contaminants forms surface layer on insulators and chemically interact with it. This effect reduces smoothness of surface insulator and forms conducting paths. It allow passage of higher values of leakage current and cause ionization of field around insulator and rise temperature of surfaces, this leads to formation phenomenon of tracking and erosion.it cause deterioration, ageing and collapse of insulator, which affect safety of electric system. How to significantly enhance the tracking and erosion properties of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) are a major topic in electric insulators. With a view to enhancing the tracking and erosion properties of NBR used in power systems, nanoparticles are usually added to pure materials to enhance their electrical and physical properties. This work deals with experimental studies on tracking and erosion properties on NBR loaded with [0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 3 part per hundred part of rubber (Phr.)] titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles. Composite materials have been experimentally tested by inclined plane test (IPT) according to the ASTM D2303 standard. When it is necessary to explore a new insulating material, the inclined plane test is used. This is because IPT is used to evaluate the properties of laboratory modified polymers under different voltages. The times to track during the test were recorded. Data processing, analog to digital systems, and data acquisition have been used to measure leakage current passing through samples. When comparing result of leakage current measurements, it was noted that its value was lower for modified samples compared to virgin samples. This positive effect indicates to enhancement of NBR as a result of formation of stable chemical bonds.